Why Move to UAE?
There is an exciting appeal to the idea of moving to the United Arab Emirates. The Gulf region exudes immense affluence, presenting you with an opportunity for a lavish lifestyle, an exceptional quality of life, and the possibility for further career advancement and wealth. It has become the epicenter of business development and job opportunities, excellent for young professionals and enterprises looking to expand.
There are seven Emirate states to explore and famous cities such as Dubai and Abu Dhabi have already become hotspots for expats. Furthermore, an alluring Residency by Investment Visa guarantees a long-term residence visa enabling non-Emirati talent to live, work, or study in the United Arab Emirates.
Fast facts
The United Arab Emirates is comprised of seven emirates: Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah, and Fujairah. All seven emirates in the UAE are ruled by different royal families in the UAE and each holds their allure and characteristics worth exploring. The most visited and populated emirates in UAE by far are Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah.
The nation-state began its empire with humble beginnings in fishing, pearl farming, camel rearing, history, and culture that can be traced back to 6000 B.C. The United Arab Emirates has flourished into a grandiose country exporting oil, and a major hub for retail, finances, tourism, and highly advanced architecture.
- Population: 9.365 million (2023 est.)
- Capital City: Abu Dhabi
- Climate: UAE has a subtropical desert climate with hot summers and warm winters.
- Time Zone: GST (Gulf Standard Time) / UTC +04:00 Coordinated Universal Time
- Language: Arabic, Emirati Arabic, English
- Country Code: +971
- Currency: UAE dirham (AED)
- Economy: Petroleum, Natural Gas, Tourism and Construction
- GDP Per/Cap: USD $43,295
- Borders: Bordering Oman and Saudi Arabia, and maritime borders with Iran and Qatar.
Lifestyle
The United Arab Emirates showcases an elevated standard of living and high income per capita; Emiratis and residents can enjoy a plethora of activities, from visiting distinct national landmarks to palatial resorts and grand city-sized shopping centers. Moving to the UAE will prove to be an exciting adventure, as the possibilities are endless in this forward-thinking country.
Cost of living
Similarly, in other countries, the cost of living in the UAE has rapidly increased over the years; the average monthly expenses for one person can be AED 4,000 (roughly USD $1090), and for a family of four at AED 14,000 (roughly USD $3812). The average cost of living will include rent, utilities, transport, groceries, and entertainment activities. For anyone looking to move to UAE under a residency by investment visa program, this should be an easy feat to accomplish as the key takeaway will be on planning which Emirati nation to live in, along with your accommodation of choice.
Safety
The United Arab Emirates is the third most peaceful and safest country in the Middle East, making it safe for tourists and the expat community living in the UAE. The government has also implemented efforts in the fight against drugs and promoting awareness and negative impacts associated with society, health, and safety.
Healthcare
The UAE has a government-funded healthcare service that is free to Emirati nationals. Foreign citizens must obtain mandatory private insurance to cover medical expenses in public and private healthcare facilities. Once your entry visa or residence card is issued, you can apply for the Emirates ID and health card, which must be presented at every health appointment.
Education
Primary and secondary education is free for all Emiratis (ages 5 to 15 years. old), but non-Emirati citizens will have to pay for schooling fees at both private and public educational institutions. There are eleven universities in the United Arab Emirates, of which 8 have been selected by the QS Arab Region University Rankings 2024 for excellence, such as the United Arab Emirates University, American University of Sharjah, Khalifa University, University of Sharjah, Zayed University and American University in Dubai (AUD). The most sought-after degrees to study in UAE universities are Global Banking and Finance, Medicine & Pharmaceuticals, Engineering & Technology.
Language
The official language in the United Arab Emirates is Arabic and most native Emiratis speak the Gulf Arabic dialect. Other languages most spoken in the United Arab Emirates by non-nationals are English, Malayalam, Hindi, and Urdu. As most institutions communicate in English, you will not have trouble communicating with locals or other expats if you are considering moving to the United Arab Emirates.
Money and taxes
The Emirati Dirham is the official currency of the UAE, abbreviated officially as AED and it is pegged to the US dollar at the exchange rate of 1 USD = 3.6725 AED. Taxation is exempt on personal income for citizens and residents, which includes luxury, inheritances, gifts, wealth, capital gains, interest and dividends.
Popular Destinations
Dubai
Abu Dhabi
Sharjah
Ras Al Khaimah
Umm Al Quwain
Fujairah
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Download Our BrochureDo I Need a Visa to Move to UAE?
Citizens from Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries (Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Oman, Qatar and Kuwait) are not required a visa to enter the UAE. Non-GCC citizens must acquire a visa of 30 days or 90 days upon arrival depending on the country of origin. Indian citizens have different visa requirements if they hold U.S. visas, green cards, U.K. Resident Permits or EU resident Permits, and are eligible for a 14-day visa at AED 100, with the possibility to extend for an additional 14 days.
Moving to UAE as an EU citizen
Many European citizens have made the move to the United Arab Emirates, whether to expand business or networking opportunities for career advancement; the United Arab Emirates offers amazing taxation benefits along with high-income earnings. Getting well-adjusted in UAE will come easy as the country has a large population of English-speaking expats, featuring a multicultural lifestyle and futuristic living contrasting the traditional Islamic history and culture. A residency by investment in the UAE may be the very best step for a brighter future for you and your family.
Moving to UAE as a non-EU citizen
The United Arab Emirates has a few countries restricted from applying to the residency by investment program. Should your country of origin not be any of the above, the application process for the UAE Golden Visa will be acceptable; when in doubt, speak to our team of professionals at Investment Visa, and we will inform and guide you through the entire UAE Residency by Investment program and requirements.
Moving to UAE Through Investment Visa Programs
The United Arab Emirates have Residency by Investment Visa programs, a which grant a long-term residence visa that sanctions foreign nationals to live, work, or study in the country. Applicants can include investors, entrepreneurs, scientists, outstanding students and graduates, humanitarians, and even frontline heroes.
The UAE Golden Visa investors can benefit from a long-term renewable visa valid for 5 to 10 years giving you ample time to settle; along with the ability to stay outside of UAE for more than the typical 6-month period. You can sponsor family members, spouses, and children regardless of their age. Our Investment Visa team can guarantee you a successful Golden Visa application process to the United Arab Emirates.
How can I gain Citizenship in UAE?
The Emirati citizenship can be obtained through long-term residency, marriage, naturalization, and investment. Once you have your long-term residency in the country through a UAE Golden Visa, citizenship by naturalization is eligible after living in the United Arab Emirates for 30 years. Meanwhile, during your long-term residency in UAE, your residency permit can be renewed every 5 to 10 years. Allowing you and your family to enjoy a high standard of living and quality of life, have access to a wide range of financial and business networking opportunities in UAE, and have access to a large expat community.
How to obtain Permanent Residency in UAE?
The UAE has automatic permanent or long-term residency for foreign nationals, where it is permitted to live, work, and study for an extended period, from five to ten years. An added benefit for investors from this long-term residency will be no restrictions on exiting and re-entering the United Arab Emirates. For more information, get in contact with Investment Visa on the full requirements and process on how to obtain your UAE Golden Visa.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving to a foreign country will always bring a sense of adventure and an opportunity to adapt to a different lifestyle change. The United Arab Emirates will be no different, with visions of dazzling cityscapes, sea, and mountainous dunes. Living in the UAE will provide you with added financial security, a guaranteed high standard of living, and possibilities for career advancement.
Above all, the UAE has no income tax requirements making it highly attractive for investors and business owners looking to further grow and expand their enterprise. The United Arab Emirates Golden Visa offers Real Estate investment options making the country even more attractive as a Residency by Investment opportunity.<7p>
Yes, although the United Arab Emirates' official language is Arabic. English is widely spoken in the UAE. Regardless, an effort to learn the local language and customs will make a difference in your day-to-day communication and ease integration into the country.
Yes, through the UAE Golden Visa program, the main applicant is eligible to sponsor a spouse and children of any age and parents.
It will be impossible to provide an accurate number, as the final cost depends on various factors, such as individual living costs, renewal fees, private insurance for the main applicant, and family members or domestic workers being sponsored. The minimum residency by investment amount on real estate is AED 2 million (roughly $545,000).
No. The UAE Golden Visa can take up to 3 to 6 months, the process is completed online, along with payment of the application fee, and can be done remotely through the UAE Government. Once your Golden Visa has been granted, applicants have no requirements on how long they can stay or exit the UAE. Our team of Residency & Citizenship experts can guide you through the entire visa process for a successful application submission.
Paul Smith
Investment Advisor
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